Perfect your leadership role with your dog - with the 4 hats!

The 4 leaderships hats of dog training will change the way you think about how to bring up your dog and address any problem behaviour. There are many different dog training techniques on the internet and KZbin and each trainer believes they use the most effective methods. However no two dogs are the same. Some dogs are bottomless dustbins others give us anxiety they’re so picky. Some are brave and take everything in their stride. Others are nervous and are easily affected by a small mishap. Some love affection and attention and others prefer their own space. Some thrive on exercise and adventure others don’t want to leave the neighbourhood. Dogs differ in size, strength, temperament, breed, intelligence, wilfulness, and perception of each situation.
Therefore, we need to adapt our ideas and training philosophy to each dog. If you have an anxious dog, you will treat it differently to an aggressive dog. If you have a bold confident dog that wants to take you on you will treat it differently to a shy dog. If you have a dog with separation anxiety, you will treat it differently to one who wants to be left alone. Yet dog training ideas puts us all into camps that polarises our thinking. For example, purely positive reinforcement training vs pack theory. Positive punishment vs negative punishment. As well as multiple other approaches that end up in the mix such as E-collar training, games to play with your dog, obedience training and much much more. Once one loosely identifies with an approach they debate their ideas over the internet to whom is correct. The truth being there are many ways.
"The 4 Leadership Hats of Dog Training" by Nigel Reed, also known as "The Dog Guardian," are as follows:
The Nurturer Hat: This hat represents providing care, support, and affection to your dog. It involves nurturing their emotional well-being, building trust, and creating a safe and loving environment.
The Coach Hat: This hat emphasises the role of guiding and teaching your dog. It involves setting clear boundaries, establishing rules, and using positive reinforcement techniques to encourage desired behaviours and discourage unwanted ones.
The Authority Hat: This hat represents being a calm and assertive leader for your dog. It involves establishing yourself as the authority figure in your dog's life and providing consistent guidance and structure. This hat focuses on promoting respect and obedience.
The Bodyguard Hat: This hat highlights the importance of ensuring your dog's safety and protecting them from potential dangers. It involves being vigilant and aware of your surroundings, identifying potential threats, and taking necessary measures to keep your dog secure.
By incorporating these four leadership hats into your approach to dog training, you can establish a balanced and respectful relationship with your dog, promote their well-being, and foster a positive training experience.
The 4 leadership hats of dog training gives you the mental flexibility to adapt your approach to each dog. You can wear one hat at a time up to all 4 hats or any mixture, depending on the situation. The 4 hats of dog training is about the energy you bring to your leadership position which conveys a powerful message of your intentions.
Watch the video to find out more and be sure to like, comment and share to spread the word.
** THANK YOU **
For more information on dog's behaviour and behavioural issues, have a look at the following links: My website: www.thedogguardian.com
My book: 'The Dog Guardian, Your Guide to a Happy, Well-Behaved Dog': Amazon Universal Link: geni.us/nigel-reed Canine behaviour courses: ·
Online Courses: www.thedogguardian.com/online... ·
Group Courses: www.thedogguardian.com/group-... Social media: Instagram: / thedogguardian Facebook: / dogguardian Twitter: / thedogguardian
** PS: I NEED YOUR HELP **
My goal is to better the lives of #onemilliondogs in my lifetime. It is clearly impossible for me to do this on a one to one basis. I have seen that with around every thousand views on my videos, I get a comment or email thanking me and letting me know the video has helped. So working on that basis, I have to make videos on how to address every problem behaviour and accumulate ONE billion views in order to help 1,000,000 dogs. You can help me reach #onemilliondogs by (1) subscribing to my channel and (2) give this video a thumbs up - so KZbin suggests this video to more dog owners and we can help 1,000,000 dogs all over the world. Thank you so much! --------------#understandingdogtraining #the4leadershiphatsofdogtraining

[@LynnLeeman-zb3hu]

Hello Nigel. I find your videos really honest and inspiring.

[@nigelreed]

Lovely to hear Lynn. Thanks for watching :)

[@janemiles2070]

Thanks for that video.I have a GSD, she has a beautiful nature, but when the postman comes she goes crazy. Putting her in another room doesn't stop her barking like mad.

[@nigelreed]

Pleasure. They often protest (as would a child) but once they calm I let them out. I show them protesting doesn't work.

[@carolboccaccio8617]

I feel like I can't hear this message about hats too many times!

[@nigelreed]

Yes I feel like it really helps shift our energy in order to better our communication. I hope you are well Carol. Thanks again for enrolling on the course.

[@annenidecker694]

Thanks Nigel for this really interesting video. My dog' mother was a stray dog who died when the pups were about 8 weeks old (this is a guess). The 3 pups were found at 2 weeks interval after her death. The pup I got was found 6 weeks after the death of her mother, and having had to survive on her own and make fundamental decisions she still retains a basic stubborness that is at times difficult to deal with. It often ends up in a kind of "clash" between her will and mine. She is now 8.5 years old. But i am consistent when I ask her to do something and don't back up. I never shout at her.

[@nigelreed]

Pleasure Anne. Thanks for sharing. I would describe Sky as wilfully defiant so I have to 'win' every battle in order to win the 'war'. The issue is often there are many battles going on which people do not recognise as a battle and so do not win them. Great to hear you're consistent.

[@JamesLangmead]

Vlad lives in our house. I'm trying to become the bodyguard, but he still think he needs to be mine! Great video @Nigel😊

[@nigelreed]

😆 Thanks James. Be sure to assume the role in all situations.

[@hannerutherford4806]

A lot to take Nigel, but you do know how to get the message across 👏🏼

[@nigelreed]

Thanks Hanne.

[@ontherise323]

This is so helpful! It’s often confusing when I learn about leadership. It’s typically encouraged through authority. But if I’m trying to practice leash training the suggestion is coaching or making it fun somehow. Being out on a walk brings up so many combinations of needs that I never know what to stick with. This makes so much sense that it’s not one way. Thanks! Right now I’m trying to get my two dogs to walk well together. But they are all over the place.

[@nigelreed]

Pleased to hear the video resonated with you. I hear you with the combination of needs. Here is a video you may not have seen of me working with 2 dogs. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGnGgZ6KnZyMac0 Best wishes,

[@orange397]

Thank you!

[@nigelreed]

Welcome! ☺️🐕

[@alisonlaw1977]

Thanks Nigel, I have a working cocker(but a pet) who will be 2 in June. He is a happy chappy loves other dogs loves to play, loves to swim, but where he is challenging he is a thief of food and will surf the kitchen work tops on his tippy toes with that long tongue out. He definitely is better but this is his and my challenge.

[@nigelreed]

Best of luck! Be sure to outwork him and don't let him win once.

[@KiaraMitchellx]

My girl loves to be in control, she is 2. When in the house she is mostly calm easy going, but in the garden or on walks she is reactive towards other dogs. It's something I've been working on with her for over a year now but I feel like my bodyguard hat struggles to get put on as I can get quite anxious, especially with off lead dogs. I know it doesn't help her when we're out but it's something I'm finding incredibly difficult to control. She has come a long way in the past year. She can remain calm around dog from a decent distance now and it not be a problem, but if that dog across the road is an issue and she definitely needs more space. We're both working on it slowly, but I know I need to try and control my anxiety to show her that i'll protect her!

[@nigelreed]

It's tough to control your anxiety. You have to put on a show to communicate you're okay. And be sure to be in places you both feel safe to build your confidence together.

[@margaretwells7824]

Well done, Nigel. I am wearing all these hats since we met last Friday. Nellie is progressing quite nicely. Slow and sure wins the race.

[@nigelreed]

Great to hear Margaret. It was lovely to meet you.

[@larry68hd11]

Thanks

[@nigelreed]

Welcome

[@edwardo2436]

Great video have 2 rottweilers younger 1 is reactive randomly goes through phase of being totally unreactive then some low level pulling towards dogs I've been using methods from your book which definitely help. Like the hat idea helps me understand I need to wear a different hat in various situations thanks 👍👍👍👍👍

[@nigelreed]

Great to hear that Edwardo. The change in hats allow a shift in energy that aids in communicating the message.

[@chrisd.2831]

Im always happy when theres an opportunity to protect my dog bc that builds up her trust in me. no idea if I do it right, but I try to for example chase away a dog that approaches her too fast. Cant take her up. I wish I could, that was awsome. mine is a GWP who was abandoned probably, very good girl, only separation problems and a strong hunting instinct but we get better, its month four for us together. I ordered your book, we will study it

[@nigelreed]

Thanks for getting the book Chris - much appreciated 🙏🏻. There is no exact right way for every dog bu obviously there are some guidelines. Just think did your intentions get through to your dog. Sounds like it did to me.

[@chrisd.2831]

@@nigelreed thank you!

[@gwenmueller3473]

Love this one! I have an 8 yr old that seems to be changing from confident to something else. More aggressive towards other dogs unless in the dog park. Re reading your book to get better at figuring out what he needs from me.

[@nigelreed]

Good to hear you are getting on top of it Gwen.

[@Goonerdarma]

We have two rescued Romanian dogs, one is an 11 year old street dog. We've had her just over a year, at home she's loving and cuddly. She's a small dog and when she's out walking, she can be (not always) very reactive. Problem we are having is, she seems to have so many triggers, we never known when she will try to bite someone or other dogs and people. Or she might be friendly and playful. Our other dog is 7 and we've had him since he was 16 weeks, he's very chilled and overly friendly

[@nigelreed]

Thank you for sharing. Our dogs may not be reacting in an undesirable every time but they can still think they are taking charge. Get on top of this and the more extreme behaviours will not happen.

[@FurballSean]

I do like to wear a selection of hats 🤠

[@nigelreed]

Then you will do well my friend.

[@jaahnavijaanu8797]

Great explanation Nigel! My spitz dog Caesar has a mix of many issues! He puts boundaries to everyone and guards certain things and places. He is reactive to children and vehicles on walks. He likes to take control and acts confident, but we can clearly sense that he's fearful behind all the show! Nowadays he barks at vehicles and looks at me like - "Mom, Are you proud of me? I just chased that bike away" while I would be saying "no" all the time. I think I need to work on the bodyguard hat during walks to assure him. Any advice would be appreciated!

[@nigelreed]

Yes most dogs bravado is to cover up their anxiety . You have to use your actions more than your voice to get the message across. The short answer is you have to anticipate dangers before him and react ,or if he reacts first to calmly take over. I have a video on my channel with a GSD demonstrating this. Have you seen it? I also have another one coming out soon. Be sure to subscribe to be altered to when it comes out.

[@jaahnavijaanu8797]

​@@nigelreed Thank you for the tips! I will watch the video you suggested.

[@lyndseyanne4022]

I think my dog thinks we are pretty even. If i think hes hurt i would run over to him to check him out but when ive been ill he runs over to me and gives me support so hes kind of mirrored me. When we get outside though he forgets I'm there. Hes either excited or anxious. He wants to take charge but im not sure he's as confident as he acts. Hes very driven by the smells too as he's still intact. We cross the road to pass dogs and he does good at this now but he still stares sometimes. We met the dog that kicked off his reactivity a week ago by chance and since then hes gone from being much calmer to a bit of a pest so i think this might have worried him. Im also having problems when i go out with my friends dog. He wont come right back to me because the other dog is a bit food reactive so he keeps his distance as the other dog always comes no matter who im calling. I was helping teach my friends dog recall and hes very keen to recall for treats but its ruining my recall. I was very happy to have a dog to socialise my dog with at first but im finding in the beginning it was teaching my dog that dogs are ok but now they are teaching each other some bad habits 🤦🏻‍♀️. My friend isnt as interested in dog training as me.

[@nigelreed]

Yes many owners' leadership relationship with their dogs is often too fluid. Most of us are striving to make it clearer. The environment is fundamental to achieving that.

[@pratima4]

Nigel I have 2 dogs. One who will listen to me no matter what. The other who is 2 years old wants to do all things his way. All toys are his. He wants to walk ahead of me all the time. Wants to lunge at people and dogs to say hello to all of them. Loves to jump on people to get hugs and kisses. I think I should have named him no clover cause that’s what I say all day every day. And yes they r both shelter dogs. But so very different in personalities. Love both of them to bits

[@nigelreed]

Such a disparity in personalities and behaviour. Sounds like you need to turn up the authority and bodyguard with the older one.

[@pratima4]

@@nigelreed good morning. Think you meant the younger one cause the older one who is 14 , loves to follow and the younger one. Who is 2 is the one who thinks he owns the world and he can do whatever he wants.

[@nigelreed]

Ah i read other as older.

[@laurenlopez2973]

LOL-I got nervous with your dog in the background cruising off into the wilderness...LOL

[@nigelreed]

Ha, well as she has separation anxiety at this point she won't go too far.

[@panther7681]

May I know what to do in this scenario? My dog, a retriever, is 2yr old intact, so is another dog which is a pomsky. The other dog always growls an barks aggressively everytime we crosspath. I could feel my dog's throat rumbling through the leash but no bark. I remain as calm and force him away. The third encounter my dog saw the other dog from behind and he just growled and pulled through the leash to the other dog, then growled and barked. Sound to me like almost want to fight but didn't. Thing is, my dog is normally chill. He has met other intact male (same age) before, and fairly often. Though I know they won't get along, but they jt sniff and go without creating any problems whatsoever. Most of the time, it's when other dogs growl and bark aggressively at him that he wants to respond, sometimes jt a growl then move on, sometimes he completely ignore. I cannot decipher what the behaviour means and what I should do.

[@nigelreed]

My series diary of a rescue dog gives tons of information into this subject.

[@willgortoa2515]

My dog ate my hat. 🤔

[@nigelreed]

You'll have to wear the other 3.

[@japster1411]

what about having a dog that's great at home, but outside doesn't listen and will bite a person or a dog, has bitten a family member outside the home out of excitement, but inside the home is cool ?

[@nigelreed]

I have many lessons of how to teach you take care of danger outside on my videos. Please check out my channel. The Diary of a rescue dog series goes into great detail.